The Impact Of Communication And Stakeholder Engagement In Tertiary Institutions: A Study Of School Of Graduate Studies And Research, University Of Media, Arts And Communication – Institute Of Journalism (UniMAC-IJ)

Abstract

This study examines how communication practices influence stakeholder engagement at the School of Graduate Studies and Research (SoGSaR) of UniMAC-IJ, analysing communicative satisfaction as a mediating mechanism. A cross-sectional quantitative study collected data from graduate students, faculty, and administrative staff to assess their perceptions of communication clarity, feedback, digital tools, satisfaction, and engagement. The findings reveal that communication practices at SoGSaR are perceived as neutral, with significant shortcomings in feedback and responsiveness. Communicative satisfaction emerges as a key mediator, demonstrating that the impact of communication practices on engagement is mediated entirely by stakeholder satisfaction. Engagement levels were generally low, particularly regarding decision-making and the perceived value of contributions, highlighting a participation deficit consistent with broader critiques of hierarchical communication in West African higher education. Digital tools, although commonly used, have not been perceived as strategically integrated or effective. This study makes an empirical contribution to organisational and stakeholder communication theory by clarifying the causal link between communication and engagement and by providing contextualised data from a Ghanaian higher education setting. It offers a diagnostic basis for institutional improvement and underscores the need for dialogue-driven communication, strengthened feedback systems, and relational communication strategies to enhance stakeholder engagement.